Adaptable low voltage electrical box

Abstract

A low-voltage wiring box includes a pair of substantially parallel side walls wherein each of the side walls has a first end and a second end. The box also includes a top wall and a bottom wall coupling the first ends and the second ends, respectively, of each of the side walls. A pair of interior brackets are on at least on one wall of the side walls, the top wall, and the bottom wall. A reinforcement channel is on the top wall and the bottom wall. Bendable ribs are on a periphery of the side walls. Further, ribs are located on a periphery of at least one of the top wall and the bottom wall. In addition, a hinged-pane support panel is coupled to the side walls via the bendable ribs and to at least one of the top wall and the bottom wall via the ribs.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is based in part upon pending application Ser. No. 10 / 891,706, filed Jul. 15, 2004, and claims priority under 35 USC 120 therefrom. This application is also based in part upon provisional patent application No. 60 / 488,506 filed Jul. 19, 2003 and claims benefit under 35 USC § 119(e) thereof and priority therefrom.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to electrical boxes for low voltage wiring, such as coaxial cables, Internet communication wiring, cable television wiring and telephone wiring.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Low voltage electrical wiring are used for low voltage electrical applications, such as coaxial cable and / or telephone outlets which is needed in both new building construction (as “new work”) or retrofitted in existing buildings. (as “old work”).[0004]Traditional utility power supplied higher voltage applications require closed-ended electrical work boxes, which are utilized in buildings to distribute...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a low voltage work box for both new and old low voltage electrical work, which is sturdy in construction and which can be easily mounted to a building stud, with minimal damage to surrounding wall surfaces. It is also an object to provide wide multiple gauge low voltage work boxes.

[0021]Since the internal angled fastener brackets accommodate nails, wood screws, or self-tapping screws, mounting to wood, aluminum, or steel studs used in home or commercial construction is easily accomplished.

[0027]Preferably, the low voltage terminal or junction box includes extension plates joining the internal fastener brackets to the mounting plate and the top and bottom walls, respectively, to prevent distortion of the low voltage box.

[0030]Besides internal angled brackets for easy mounting through a wall in old work, an alignment tab which is molded to extend from the outside surface of one of the narrow walls is useful for new work where the wall studs are exposed. It is used to place flush against the narrow front surface of the stud and extends across the stud to rest on the top surface of a previously mounted low voltage or service box. In this way, the new low voltage box is aligned to be mounted at the same height as a previously installed box. After mounting the new low voltage box, the alignment tab is easily snapped off since it is attached by narrow molded strips. This alignment tab is also used to house a pair of detachable (break-off) screw caps which are used to protect internal wiring from the conductive sharp edges of the heads of the mounting screws. They are sized to fit into and are retained by the recess used by a Phillips screwdriver.

[0031]A removable bendable back panel is included that will attach to the end of a conduit. This panel is attached by molded ribs along a short wall and along an orthogonal long wall at the rear. The panel can be bent along either a long wall or a short wall of the low voltage box by cutting attachment ribs to the other wall. After one wall attachment is cut, the panel is bent 90 degrees and locked in place by a molded latch feature. The panel is easily removed by cutting both lines of attachment ribs. Internal angled brackets are provided on two orthogonal sides to provide either vertical or horizontal attachment.

Problems solved by technology

However, because the screw or nail mounting brackets protrude up from the external silhouette shape of the workbox, the brackets interfere with the flush mounting of the workbox within a hole within a building wall.

Moreover, old work boxes are frequently held in place by bent tabs which engage sheetrock boards thus minimizing stability, as the sheetrock is prone to gradually falling apart.

However, because the screw or nail mounting brackets protrude up from the external silhouette shape of the workbox, the brackets interfere with the flush mounting of the workbox within a hole within a building wall.

Moreover, old work boxes are frequently held in place by bent tabs which engage sheetrock boards thus minimizing stability, as the sheetrock is prone to gradually falling apart.

However, the aforementioned devices are not easily mountable to a stud in a wall, without having exterior fasteners on the frame, and these patents do not describe a low voltage work box for both new and old low voltage electrical work, which is sturdy in construction and which can be easily mounted to a building stud, with minimal damage to surrounding wall surfaces.

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